My Thoughts on I Corinthians 13

I Corinthians 13, most commonly referred to as the Love Chapter, is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible. I read it today in my devotions, and I decided to blog about it. I'll be using the KJV for this blog post because of how beautiful this passage is in that particular version.

1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understanding all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

So, no matter how good and selfless and smart and wide I am, if I don't love, then I am nothing? Then what is love?

4. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.

Suffereth long? Now that's where I know I'm in trouble! I love my brother so much, but more often than not, I find myself wanting to strangle him (which would be difficult, since my hands are no bigger than a second grader's). Of course, this is only the beginning of what love is.

5. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.

Many people have the misconception that romantic relationships are all about selfish gain. "What can he do for me?" But this verse clearly states that that kind of thinking is wrong. Love "seeketh not her own."

6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.
7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Isn't that comforting? Even though man's wisdom and knowledge will fail or fade away, "charity never faileth."

11. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part, but then shall I know even as I am known.

Being human and finite, we can only understand things "in part." Thinking about God and eternity just about makes my head explode!
13. And now abideth faith, hope, and charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

I hope this was a help and an encouragement to somebody. God bless you all who are reading this!